Panasonic, a well-known brand, entered the solar industry back in 1975. They were already a big name in making household electronics. People who shop for solar energy products, as well as the professionals who install them, often choose Panasonic solar panels. In fact, in 2023, Panasonic is the third most commonly requested brand.
However, in 2021, Panasonic made an announcement. They decided to stop making their own solar panels. In the past, they had a deal with Tesla to manufacture them. But if you’re interested in getting Panasonic solar panels, don’t worry. Panasonic still offers excellent panels. They just have another company making them now.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Panasonic’s solar panel technology and see how it stacks up against other top solar panel brands that you can find today.
Panasonic offers several series of solar panels designed to provide renewable energy for homeowners. Here are the available options:
Panasonic uses a special technology in their solar cells to make their panels highly efficient and productive. This technology involves cutting the cells in half and combining them with different layers of silicon using heterojunction and passivated emitter and rear contact techniques. This reduces power loss and maximizes the efficiency of the panels.
Additionally, the surface of Panasonic solar panels has a pyramid-like structure that minimizes reflection and directs more sunlight into the cells, increasing electricity output. The smaller size of the half-cut cells also reduces heat loss, further enhancing the efficiency of Panasonic’s panels.
Most of Panasonic’s panels use HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) technology, except for the newest panel, the PK Black Series 370/360W, which uses PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) technology. These panels have wattages ranging from 350W to 410W.
The EverVolt and EverVolt H series are the traditional blue solar panels, while the EverVolt HK, PK, and K series are part of the Black Series, which might be more attractive if you’re concerned about the appearance of solar panels on your roof. In the following sections, we will delve into the efficiency ratings, performance, and warranties of all Panasonic panels.
When assessing the quality of solar panels, there are four key factors to consider: efficiency, performance, warranties, and price. We’ll break down each of these aspects and explain why they matter. We’ll also show how Panasonic solar panels compare not only among themselves but also with other top brands in the solar industry.
Solar panel efficiency, also known as conversion efficiency, tells us how effectively a solar panel captures sunlight and transforms it into usable electricity. In simple terms, a high-efficiency solar panel will generate more electricity under the same conditions than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. Thus, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferred.
The efficiency of Panasonic solar panels varies depending on the specific model you select for your system. While most solar panels typically have efficiency ratings ranging from 14% to 18%, Panasonic panels stand out with efficiency ratings ranging from 19.2% to 22.2%. To put this in perspective, one of the most efficient panels available is SunPower, with an efficiency of 22.8%, which places Panasonic panels among the top choices for efficiency in the solar panel market.
| Panasonic Series | Efficiency Rating |
| EverVolt H Series, 410/400W | 21.6% (410W) / 22.2% (400W) |
| EverVolt H Series, 390W | 21.1% |
| EverVolt HK Black Series, 410/400W | 22.2% (410W) / 21.6% (400W) |
| EverVolt PK Black Series, 370/360W | 20.3% (370W) / 19.7% (360W) |
| EverVolt PK Black Series, 350W | 19.2% |
| EverVolt K Black Series, 370W | 21.1% |
| EverVolt K Black Series, 360/350W | 20.6% (360W) / 20.0% (350W) |
| EverVolt Series, 380W | 21.7% |
| EverVolt Series, 370/360W | 21.1% (370W) / 20.6% (360W) |
The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well solar panels perform under less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic devices, operate most efficiently when they remain cool, ideally at around 25°C (77°F). The temperature coefficient provides insights into how a panel’s performance changes on hot, sunny days.
| Panasonic Series | Temperature Coefficient |
| EverVolt H Series, 410/400W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt H Series, 390W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt HK Black Series, 410/400W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt PK Black Series, 370/360W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt PK Black Series, 350W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt K Black Series, 370W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt K Black Series, 360/350W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt Series, 380W | -0.26%/°C |
| EverVolt Series, 370/360W | -0.26%/°C |
For every degree above 25°C (77°F), a solar panel’s electricity production decreases by an amount determined by its temperature coefficient. For example, Panasonic’s EverVolt HK Black series has a temperature coefficient of 0.26%/°C. This means that if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25°C (77°F) to 26°C (79°F), its electricity production will drop by 0.26%. If the temperature further rises to 35°C (95°F), electricity production will decrease by 2.6%.
Considering that solar panels often encounter numerous hot and sunny days throughout the year, panels with the lowest possible temperature coefficient are ideal. Panasonic’s solar panels boast some of the industry’s lowest temperature coefficients at -0.26 for all their series. In comparison, one of the most popular brands of solar panels, Q CELLS, offers panels with a temperature coefficient ranging from -0.39 to -0.34.
Whether you’re purchasing a television, a car, or solar panels, it’s crucial to consider the brand’s warranty. A solar panel’s materials warranty, also known as the product or equipment warranty, is a promise from the company that they will replace your panel if it stops working due to manufacturing flaws or environmental issues.
Panasonic provides a 25-year warranty, assuring that their panels will continue to generate at least 86% to 92% of their original output by the end of the warranty period. The specific percentage depends on the product series, and you can find the degradation rates and output percentages for Panasonic EverVolt panels in the table below.
| Panasonic Series | Annual Degradation (%) | Power At Year 25 (%) |
| EverVolt H Series, 410/400W | 0.25% | 92% |
| EverVolt H Series, 390W | 0.25% | 92% |
| EverVolt HK Black Series, 410/400W | 0.25% | 92% |
| EverVolt PK Black Series, 370/360W | 0.5% | 86% |
| EverVolt PK Black Series, 350W | 0.5% | 86% |
| EverVolt K Black Series, 370W | 0.25% | 92% |
| EverVolt K Black Series, 360/350W | 0.25% | 92% |
| EverVolt Series, 380W | 0.25% | 92% |
| EverVolt Series, 370/360W | 0.25% | 92% |
Under their TripleGuard warranty, Panasonic offers a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering the product, performance, and labor for panels installed by a Panasonic authorized installer. This warranty is similar to those offered by other prominent solar panel manufacturers like REC, SunPower, and Q CELLS.
The Panasonic AllGuard warranty offers the same coverage as the TripleGuard warranty but extends it to encompass more components of your solar system. If you pair your Panasonic solar panels with Enphase microinverters, you become eligible for the AllGuard warranty, which also covers the microinverters, racking, and monitoring system. However, it’s important to note that the EverVolt warranty for solar and energy storage systems does not include coverage for the racking and monitoring system.
For many homeowners, the final decision regarding their solar power system depends on the cost. The total price of a solar energy system with Panasonic panels can vary depending on factors like the type of equipment used (inverters and mounts) and the characteristics of your roof.
Typically, most Panasonic systems are priced between $2.61 and $3.45 per watt, which falls within the mid-range of costs in the solar industry. This means that, for a 6 kW system, the total cost (before considering any tax credits or incentives) would range from $15,660 to $20,700. To put this in perspective, Tesla’s 6 kW system falls within a cost range of $18,180 to $21,000. However, it’s worth noting that most homeowners end up paying less than the gross cost due to various solar incentives and rebates, including the 30% federal tax credit for solar. With these incentives, the cost range for a Panasonic solar panel system can be reduced to $10,962 to $14,490.
Like any substantial investment, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of Panasonic solar panels before making a decision.
To determine if Panasonic solar panels are the right choice for your home, it’s advisable to collect multiple quotes from different solar equipment providers and installers before making a decision. If you have a specific equipment preference, such as Panasonic panels, make sure to specify it so that installers can include it in your quotes.
Deciding which solar panels to get for your home can be overwhelming. Let 8MSolar help you find the perfect home solar system for the best price. Contact us today, or visit our website for more information.
This content was originally published here.
